DE68925812T2 - ENTRY PROCEDURE FOR RELATIVE DATA IN THE FORM OF A CURVE. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for inserting a corner shape, in particular to a corner shape insertion method for inserting a corner shape, for example a beveled or rounded corner part at a corner between figure elements of a profile comprising a plurality of figure elements.

In an automatic programming system for generating NC data using an automatic programming language, for example APT (automatically programmed tools) or FAPT,

(a) creates a subprogram based on the automatic programming language by defining points, straight lines and circular arcs using simple symbols (referred to as "figure definition") and defining a profile using these defined points, straight lines and circular arcs (referred to as "motion instruction definition"), and

(b) the part program is subsequently converted into NC data based on the automatic programming language, which contains NC data (EIA codes or ISO codes) in a format that can be executed by an NC unit.

In such an automatic programming system, a profile OLF comprising figure elements S1 - S3 shown in Fig. 11 is defined by means of the following subprogram:

P₁ = x₁, y₁

P₂ = x₂, y₂

P₃ = x₃, y₃

S₁ = P₁, P₂

S₂ = P₂, P₃

S₃ = P₃, P₁ ... The above is a figure definition part.

S1;

S2;

S₃...The above is a profile definition part.

PEND ... End of program

Then, the following operations and processing are performed to insert the fillets at the corners E₁ to E₃ between adjacent figure elements: For example, to insert the fillet with the radius r₁ at the corner E₂ between the elements S₁, S₂, the operator sets the system to a fillet input mode by a prescribed operation, designates the corner E₂ in the fillet input mode, and then inputs a circular arc dimension (the radius r₁). When this is done, the system determines the profile definition part of the part program to

S₁, r₁R

S2;

S3;

Specifically, r₁R (where r₁ represents the radius), which is an expression indicating the rounding, is inserted between the two linear elements S₁, S₂ where the rounding is inserted. Although the above refers to a case where a rounding arc is inserted at a corner, the operation could be performed similarly in a case where a beveled shape is inserted at a corner.

There are cases where rounded arcs having the same dimensions or bevels having the same dimensions are inserted within predetermined limits (S1 to S5 in Fig. 5) at all corners of a profile. For such cases, the conventional method is such that the corners are inserted within these predetermined limits one after the other, after which the same numerical value must be entered in response to a message requesting the input of dimensions. One such case is disclosed in GB-A-2155661. A problem which arises here is that the operation of inserting the corner shapes requires an excessive amount of time.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a corner shape input method by which the insertion operation can be carried out quickly and easily when a bevel having the same dimensions or a curve having the same dimensions is inserted into all corner parts within predetermined limits.

According to the present invention, there is provided: a corner shape insertion method in an automatic programming method for creating a machining profile in the form of NC data which define a machining part program and can be processed by means of an NC unit, which machining profile consists of a plurality of figure elements, the corner shape insertion method comprising inserting a corner shape, such as a beveled or rounded corner part, which has prescribed dimensions, at a corner between adjacent figure elements of the profile after a step for determining boundaries of the profile within which a corner shape is to be inserted by specifying two figure elements which form a start and an end figure element of the profile, which corner shape insertion method is characterized by: a step for setting both angle boundaries which define an angular range between adjacent figure elements within which a corner shape is to be inserted, and dimensions of the corner shape, a step for automatically obtaining the angles which are between a pair of adjacent figure elements within the determined boundaries of the profile are defined, a step for automatically inserting the corner shape with the set dimensions between the or each pair of adjacent figure elements within the specified limits for which the angle defined between them lies within the set angle range, and for not inserting the corner shape if the angle defined between them lies outside the set angle range, a step for automatically checking whether there is a corner angle between the specified limits of the profile which lies within the set angle range and still requires a corner shape to be inserted, and if such exists, a step for inserting the required corner shape, while if such does not exist, terminating the corner shape insertion process.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for implementing the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a diagram describing the essential parts of a work menu.

Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of the processing for inserting a corner shape according to the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a dialog screen displaying a profile.

Fig. 5 shows a dialog screen that represents the area of the profile in which corner shapes are to be inserted.

Fig. 6 shows a dialog screen for entering both angle limits defined by adjacent figure elements and a corner radius.

Fig. 7 shows a dialog screen that displays the profile after the corner pieces are inserted.

Fig. 8 shows a diagram for describing messages that are displayed when the boundaries of a profile are determined.

Fig. 9 is a diagram for describing a method of calculating a corner angle in a case where a figure entity is a circular arc.

Fig. 10 shows a dialog screen for entering both angle limits defined by adjacent figure elements and bevel dimensions.

Fig. 11 shows a representation of a profile for describing a method according to the prior art.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for implementing the present invention.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a ROM having stored therein a loader program and the like, reference numeral 102 denotes a processor for executing automatic programming processing, and reference numeral 103 denotes a RAM for storing both a system program read from a floppy disk FL and various parameters and processing results. Reference numeral 104 denotes an NC data memory for storing finally created NC data having an executable format. Reference numeral 105 denotes a keyboard, reference numeral 106 denotes a cathode ray tube (CRT) display unit, reference numeral 107 denotes a floppy disk controller, and reference numeral 108 denotes a graphic input device having an input device surface 108a on which a work menu 108b containing work menu items is mounted. Predefined work menu items are selected using an input device position indicator 108c. A graphic position indicator is moved on a display screen by moving the position indicator 108c on the input device surface. Reference character FL denotes the floppy disk.

On the display screen of the display unit 106, OLF represents a profile, Si (i = 1, 2 ..., 8) denote figure elements constituting the profile, C2, C4 denote corner shapes (rounded shapes), CS denotes a graphic position indicator, and M1 denotes a message as a request for input of prescribed data.

Fig. 2 shows a diagram for describing the essential parts of the working menu 108b, where the reference numeral 1 designates a section "POINT/POINT GROUP DEFINITION", the reference numeral 2 designates a section "LINE DEFINITION", the reference numeral 3 designates a section "CIRCLE DEFINITION", the reference numeral 4 designates a section "SPECIAL SHAPE DEFINITION" and the reference numeral 5 designates a section "SHAPE PREPARATION". The "SHAPE PREPARATION" section 5 is connected to the working menu items "CORNER R: COLLECTIVE INPUT" T₁, which designates a working menu item for inserting rounded parts "enbloch", and to a working menu item "BEVEL: COLLECTIVE INPUT" T₂. which designates a work menu item for inserting beveled parts "en bloc".

If the area of the profile (the dashed section of the profile OLF) in which corner shapes are to be inserted is determined by designating two figure elements Si, Sj (e.g. the figure elements S₁, S₅) in the profile OLF, the angles defined by adjacent figure elements within the boundaries of the profile are obtained. If the angles lie within set angle limits, the corner shapes C₂, C₄ with the prescribed dimensions are inserted between the figure elements defining the angles.

Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of the processing for corner shape insertion according to the present invention, and Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 show examples of dialog screens according to the present invention. The corner shape insertion method according to the invention will be described below with reference to this flow chart and the examples of the dialog screens. It is assumed that the partial program for determining the profile OLF shown in Fig. 4 has already been prepared and stored in the RAM 103 and that the profile is displayed on the display screen 106 in a prescribed color (e.g., green).

The operator selects the work menu item Ti "CORNER R: COLLECTIVE INPUT" (Fig. 2) from the work menu 108b on the input device 108 (step 101). When this is done, the processor 102 displays the graphic cursor CS on the display screen 106 and allows the profile into which a corner R (a rounding arc) is to be inserted to be selected. In a case where a plurality of profiles are to be defined, the processor 102 displays a message requesting the selection of a profile.

Accordingly, the operator points the graphic position indicator CS at the profile OLF requiring insertions of rounding arcs, thereby selecting this profile (step 102).

When the profile OLF has been selected, the processor 102 successively displays messages M2, M3, M4 (Fig. 8) as prompts for specifying the boundaries of the profile within which the fillet arcs are to be inserted, and the operator responds to these messages by specifying the boundaries of the profile (step 103). More specifically, in response to message M2 [Fig. 8(a)], the operator directs the graphic cursor CS to the figure element S₁ to pick up that element, thereby designating the figure element S₁ which represents the beginning of the boundaries. In response to message M3 [Fig. 8(b)], the operator the figure element Ss to thereby designate the figure element S5 which represents the end of the boundaries. Further, in a case where the profile OLF is a closed shape, arc keys (a G key and a key) on the keyboard 105 are used to designate whether the profile area enclosed by the two designated figure elements S1 and S5 is a profile segment in the clockwise direction or a profile segment in the counterclockwise direction. For example, when the direction is counterclockwise, with the initially designated figure element serving as a reference, the arc key (G key) designating the counterclockwise direction is depressed in response to the message M4 [Fig. 8(c)].

By designating the profile boundaries considered above in this way, the processor 102 recognizes the boundaries within which the corner shapes are inserted and causes the figure elements within this area (indicated by the dashed part in Fig. 5) to be displayed in a color (e.g. blue) that is different from that of the other figure elements (step 104).

Next, the processor 102 displays a message M1 (Fig. 6) concerning determining the angular limits of the corner to be rounded and the dimensions of the rounding in a form in which it is superimposed on the profile (the representation of the profile is removed from Fig. 6). Accordingly, the operator responds to the message M1 by designating a lower limit angle Θmin (e.g., 0º) and an upper limit angle Θmax (e.g., 90°) and by designating a numerical value "2" for the arc radius (step 105).

When the dimensions of the curve and the angular boundaries of the corner have been determined, the processor 102 performs the operation 1 T i, obtains an angle Θi (Fig. 5) which is defined by i-th and (i+1)-th adjacent figure elements is defined within the limits of the profile (steps 106, 107), and checks whether the angle is within the set angle limits (Θmin - Θmax) (step 108). If the angle (e.g. Θ2, Θ4) is within these limits, then the processor inserts the rounding arc having the arc diameter 2 mm at the corner (e.g. E2, E4) between the i-th and the (i+1)-th figure elements defining the angle and displays the result on the display screen of the CRT 106 (step 109, see Fig. 7).

The processor then checks whether previous processing for all corners within the profile boundaries has been completed (step 110). If the answer is "NO", the processor performs operation i + 1 T i (step 111) and repeats processing from step 107 onwards. If the answer is "YES", the processor terminates the corner shape insertion processing.

When calculating the angle Θi defined by adjacent figure elements, the figure elements comprise a circular arc, and the angle defined by a linear element Sa and the arc element Cb shown in Fig. 9, for example, is calculated, a line segment Sb passing through an intersection point P1 of the two elements and the tangent to the arc element Cb is obtained, and the angle Θi defined by the linear element Sa and the line segment Sb is calculated.

Although the above description refers to the collective insertion of rounded parts, the collective insertion of beveled parts can be carried out in the same way. In particular, when a collective insertion of beveled parts is carried out, the work menu item "BEVELLING: COLLECTIVE INPUT" T₂ (see Fig. 2) is selected in step 101, then two figure elements which form the profile OlF form, in a dialog-like manner, to determine the profile boundaries within which the beveled shapes are to be inserted, and the bevel dimensions and the angle boundaries of the corners at which the beveled shapes are to be inserted are similarly designated in a dialog-like manner (see Fig. 10). As a result, the processor 102 obtains the angles of adjacent figure elements within this region of the profile. If an angle is within the set angle boundaries, the beveled shape having the prescribed dimensions is inserted between the figure elements defining that angle.

Accordingly, in accordance with the present invention, the boundaries of a profile into which corner shapes are to be inserted are determined by designating two figure elements constituting the profile. At such a time, angles defined within these boundaries of the profile by figure elements adjacent to each other are obtained. When an angle is within a set angle, the corner shape having the prescribed dimensions is inserted between the figure elements defining the angle. As a result, the insertion operation when the corners are chamfered or rounded to the same numerical value within certain limits can be performed quickly and easily. As a result, NC data obtained based on the profile can be generated quickly and easily.

Claims (3)

1. Corner shape insertion method in an automatic programming method for creating a machining profile in the form of NC data which define a machining subprogram and can be processed by means of an NC unit, which machining profile consists of a plurality of figure elements, the corner shape insertion method comprising inserting a corner shape, such as a beveled or rounded corner part, which has prescribed dimensions, at a corner between adjacent figure elements of the profile after a step for determining boundaries of the profile within which a corner shape is to be inserted by defining two figure elements which form a start and an end figure element of the profile, which corner shape insertion method is characterized by a) a step for setting both angle limits, which define an angle range between adjacent figure elements within which a corner shape is to be inserted, and dimensions of the corner shape, b) a step for automatically obtaining the angles defined between a pair of adjacent figure elements within the specified limits of the profile, c) a step for automatically inserting the corner shape with the set dimensions between the or each pair of adjacent figure elements within the specified limits for which the angle defined between them lies within the set angular range, and for not inserting the corner shape if the angle defined between them lies outside the set angular range, d) a step to automatically check whether a Corner angle between the specified limits of the profile, which lies within the set angle range and still requires a corner shape to be inserted, and if such a shape is present, a step for automatically inserting the required corner shape as given in step c), while if such a shape is not present, the corner shape insertion process is terminated. 2. A corner shape insertion method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of determining the boundaries of the profile includes the following steps in addition to the step of determining two figure elements constituting the profile in a case where the profile is a closed shape: a step of determining, with a figure element serving as a reference element, that the direction is clockwise if a profile segment enclosed by the two figure elements represents boundaries of the profile in the clockwise direction, and that the direction is counterclockwise if the profile segment enclosed by the two figure elements represents boundaries of the profile in the counterclockwise direction, and a step for determining the boundaries of the profile into which the corner shape is to be inserted, based on the two specified figure elements and the direction. 3. A corner shape insertion method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a determination of whether an input is a collective input of bevels or a collective input of rounded arcs, by which bevel shapes or rounded arc shapes are inserted as corner shapes between adjacent figure elements.